Ladies who rule the world

MORE women than ever are landing top political jobs around the globe.
One of the most powerful leaders in Europe is German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who came to power in 2005.
Nicola Sturgeon has been Scottish First Minister since 2014, while Ruth Davidson leads the Tories in Scotland.
And across the pond, the US could soon elect its first female president in Hillary Clinton.

Imperious Mrs May won 199 votes - almost two thirds of all 330 Tory MPs - and Mrs Leadsom scooped 84.

Mrs May was immediately installed as the odd-on favourite, with bookies Ladbrokes giving her odds of 1/5 and inexperienced Mrs Leadsom just 7/2.

She said 'this vote shows that the Conservative Party can come together - and under my leadership it will'

Mrs May, 59, also laid out two other key pitches, adding: “We need strong, proven leadership to negotiate the best deal for Britain as we leave the European Union, and to make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few but for every one of us”.

Michael Gove took a delivery of wine this morning... it will now help him to drown his sorrows

Her campaign boss dubbed her impending nine week nationwide fight against Mrs May, who backed staying in the EU, as “a straight choice between a Remain woman and a Leave woman”.

In a dig at Eton-educated Mr Cameron, ex-minister and Tory MP Tim Loughton added: “This is a new sort of Tory party – both contenders are women, state educated, and had proper jobs before they came into politics”.

Mr Gove said last night he was “naturally disappointed”, but heaped praise on Mrs May and Mrs Leadsom as “formidable politicians who deserve to be in the final two”.

Refusing to declare which one he will back, the Justice Secretary instead also called for a “civilised, inclusive, positive and optimistic” debate, and said: “Which one of the two wins will lead this country well”.

One Tory MP dubbed Mr Gove’s defeat as the “brutal end of the Notting Hill Tories”, as he was the last hope of David Cameron’s close circle to keep them in power.

Mr Gove was squeezed out by a coalition of old guard Eurosceptics and former Boris Johnson backers hell bent on revenge.

A disastrous text message to some Tory MPs on Wednesday evening also did Mr Gove’s campaign damage.
His campaign manager, Skills Minister Nick Boles, was accused of dirty tricks after telling comrades he is “seriously frightened” about Mrs Leadsom being put in front of party members as they may share her more traditional views.

Knifed Boris also emphasised his support for Mrs Leadsom yesterday.

Boris said: “We’re looking for a positive and dynamic approach, and I think she has a lot to offer”.

One of the former London Mayor’s key lieutenants added: “Don’t you worry, I haven’t stop sharpening my knife for Gove yet”.

What now for Gove?

BEATEN Michael Gove was last night being tipped for one of the three great offices of state under the next Prime Minister.
Senior Tories said they expected Theresa May or Andrea Leadsom to hand the Brexit champion the role of Chancellor, Foreign Secretary or Home Secretary.
Allies said that despite his poor showing in yesterday’s voting, the Tory heavy hitter would be crucial as Britain enters divorce talks with the EU.
Tory backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg – who voted for Mr Gove, right yesterday, – told The Sun: “You would have thought both Michael and Boris Johnson deserve important jobs in the next Government. Mrs May would want to because it would unify the party.
“Mrs Leadsom would because she has worked with them.”
Pals added the Justice Secretary could prove to be a kingmaker.
But Mr Gove refused to back either candidate last night.
Friends blamed his poor showing on his late entry into the leadership race after his seismic fallout with Boris.

Instead of playing tactical games, Mrs May had pleaded with her MP supporters to give her the biggest endorsement possible yesterday.

She even got husband Philip May to ring round plotters in her camp to enforce the message.

Mrs May said 'we need strong, proven leadership to negotiate the best deal for Britain as we leave the European Union'

The Home Secretary was last night boosted by the endorsement of popular Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson.

Former Tory leadership contender David Davis insisted only battle-hardened Mrs May would be able to get the best Brexit deal from the EU during the ultra-tough negotiations to come.

Mr Davis said: “She’s able to look Angela Merkel in the eye, and probably stare her down”.

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In an earlier personal hammer blow to Mr Gove yesterday, his fellow Vote Leave campaigner Priti Patel abandoned him to also back Mrs May.

Writing in The Sun today, the Tory Employment Minister said she has “enormous respect” for Mrs May’s record from her six years in the Home Office, adding on her low key style: “She understands that flashy statements to grab the headlines do not always lead to good decision making”.

Mrs Leadsom was boosted by the backing of a second former Tory Leader Michael Howard yesterday, after Iain Duncan Smith joined her fledgling campaign last week.

Only eight days ago, Ms Leadsom came within an hour of pulling out to endorse Boris instead – but he failed to give her a letter promising to make her Chancellor.